Morton Grove, Illinois
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Morton Grove began as farmland in the 1830s and experienced slow growth up until the post-World War II era. Prior to the war, the town was mostly farmland with homes scattered around the township. During Prohibition, Morton Grove became a hotspot of speakeasies which were visited by residents living in nearby "dry" communities. In 1940, the total population was 2,010 people. In 1950, it exploded to 20,533 as developers sought land to meet the demand from the returning G.I.'s who were marrying, having families, and looking to escape Chicago's cramped apartments. Since then, the population has remained relatively stable.
Cost of Living
Morton Grove has a slightly higher cost of living than the U.S. average. A large part of the cost is driven by the price of a single-family home. Detached homes in Morton Grove tend to be higher in price, though it's possible to find smaller mid-century ranches that are affordable. Townhomes and condominiums are plentiful, but buildings have been put up through the decades and some show their age. Property taxes are reasonable even though the town is located in Cook County which has legacy issues with payment of pensions.
Transportation
Morton Grove is amply served by public transportation options and roadways. Pace bus service runs multiple routes that transport people to various CTA stations in Skokie and Evanston, have stops at major corporate campuses in the area, and stops at major area shopping centers like Golf Mill and Old Orchard. Metra operates a commuter station on LeHigh Avenue on the Milwaukee District/North line. The train runs southwest to Chicago and in Fox Lake to the northeast. Drivers have multiple options for commuting in and around the area. The town itself is a few miles west of the Edens Expressway (I-94) which runs south to Chicago and beyond and north to Milwaukee, then west to Madison. Golf Road, Dempster/Route 58, and Oakton Street all run parallel to one another on an east-west grid. Route 43, which changes from Harlem to Waukegan Rd, travels on a north-to-northeast direction north of Oakton and north-south south of Oakton. All of these roadways offer access to Chicago and neighboring communities so people can get to their jobs and shop in the commercial centers.
Schools
Elementary-aged students who live in Morton Grove attend school in one of four districts. They include: East Maine School District 63, Golf School District 67, Skokie/Morton Grove School District 69, and Morton Grove School District 70. High school students attend either Maine Township High School District 207 or Niles Township High Schools District 219. The elementary schools have mixed reviews overall with some performing better than others. However, the high schools achieve consistently high state rankings in terms of test scores and quality of education with many students entering prestigious universities upon graduation.
Attractions
The Forest Preserves of Cook County travel through Morton Grove and features the North Branch Trail. The trail starts in Chicago at Caldwell Woods and travels north to end at Dundee Road. For those who don't want to traverse the trail, there are multiple picnic groves and play areas for children. While not in Morton Grove proper, the Leaning Tower of Niles is a quirky landmark that replicates the Leaning Tower of Pisa at half-size. Morton Grove offers residents a semi-urban lifestyle that's laid back and doesn't overwhelm.